The Arizona Cardinals’ Week 7 inactive list was mostly the expected one, but it still brought one notable absence before kickoff against the Denver Broncos at State Farm Stadium: cornerback Max Melton will not play.
Melton, who had been questionable with a knee injury, was ruled out, while safety Budda Baker - also questionable because of a groin injury - was active and set to start. The Cardinals had already ruled out running back Jeremiyah Love, guard Jon Gaines, safety Andrew Wingard and defensive tackle Walter Nolen on their final injury report, and all four landed on the inactive list.
Arizona’s full inactive group for the game: RB Jeremiyah Love, CB Max Melton, QB Carson Beck, S Andrew Wingard, OL Jon Gaines, OL Albert Reese and DL Walter Nolen.
With Gaines unavailable, second-year guard Hayden Conner is in line to start at right guard. The Cardinals also do not have another backup center, so Kingsley Eguakun - elevated from the practice squad Saturday - will handle the backup role there.
Reese, who was claimed off waivers this week, is still not ready to go. The other backup linemen available are tackles Jedrick Wills and Josh Fryar.
Melton’s absence likely pushes Kei'Trel Clark into the starting cornerback spot opposite Denzel Burke. Star Thomas, who has been active over the last three games, is also set to play.
Up front, Arizona is carrying six defensive linemen on game day: Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, L.J. Collier, Darius Robinson, Andrew Billings and recently elevated Jared Harrison-Hunte. Robinson was questionable because of a back injury.
In Other News...
Cardinals Backfield Just Got Murkier Ahead Of Broncos Game
Arizonas backfield picture got a lot thinner this week, with rookie Jeremiyah Love ruled out for Sundays matchup against the Broncos after suffering a high-ankle sprain. The injury leaves the Cardinals without one of the more intriguing young pieces in their offense and forces the team to adjust on the fly heading into a game where rushing production could matter.
With Love unavailable, Arizona is expected to lean on Zonovan Knight and Tyler Allgeier to handle the work in the backfield. The good news for the Cardinals is that Love is not expected to be sidelined for long, with a Week 8 return against the Cowboys on the horizon, but for now the team has to sort through a more uncertain rotation against Denver. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Get A Huge Sunday Boost As Broncos Lose Key Starter
Budda Baker gives Arizona a major lift heading into Week 7, with the veteran safety on the active list after dealing with an illness and a groin issue. The Cardinals also elevated offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte as they continue piecing together the roster for Sunday, while the Broncos made their own moves by activating running back Jonah Coleman and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper.
Denver, however, will have to navigate the game without Patrick Surtain II, one of its top defensive backs, as he sits out with an ankle injury. It adds another layer to a notable weekend for Arizona, which is also inducting Larry Fitzgerald into its Ring of Honor, and even Broncos coach Sean Payton took time to praise Fitzgeralds career. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Suddenly Face A Josh Sweat Decision They Didn't Expect
Josh Sweats situation has become one of the more unexpected subplots around the Cardinals as the trade deadline approaches. The outside linebacker reportedly asked for a trade earlier this offseason, and while Arizona has publicly maintained it is not interested in moving him, the conversation has not gone away as the November 10 deadline gets closer and the team sits at 2-4.
For a Cardinals club trying to steady its season, Sweat presents a tricky decision because a proven edge rusher is not the kind of player a team usually wants to lose in the middle of a scramble. Interest around the league is inevitable when a player of his caliber becomes available, and there has already been buzz about teams with a clear need off the edge, leaving Arizona to weigh its stance against whatever offers may surface. [Read more 🡒]